Agency and Choice in the Face of Trauma: A Narrative Therapy Map

Abstract

Numerous articles have underscored the necessity of focusing on agency and survival strategies when working with persons facing issues of trauma. In clinical settings however, many clinicians have the intention of fostering a client's sense of agency but achieve limited success in accomplishing this goal. In this article, a four quadrant model and specific micro-practices that can contribute to clients re-authoring their lives with an integrated experience of choice and agency are discussed. The transcript of a therapy session is used to illustrate the map.